Accrediting Bodies

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)

Adventist University of Health Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) to award Certificates, Associates, Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033- 4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Adventist University of Health Sciences.

Note: The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.

Licensing Body

Florida Board of Nursing

Governing Academic Catalog

This Academic Catalog covers general questions relating to the academic policies that are to be observed by the student during the 2014-2015 academic year beginning with the fall trimester. It is the responsibility of the student to know the policies contained in this document. Problems and/or questions should be referred to the student’s department chair or the Office of Academic Administration. The responsibility for meeting degree or certificate requirements rests with the student.

Students in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences are admitted under, and are subject to, the provisions of the Academic Catalog for the year they initially enroll.

Students in degree programs are admitted under, and are subject to, the provisions of the Academic Catalog and applicable Supplements for the year they are admitted to a program at Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU). If for any reason a break in attendance of one or more academic calendar years occurs, students must satisfy the Academic Catalog requirements for the year of their re-entry.

The archived Academic Catalog (PDF document) is the official source of information for all ADU academic policies and procedures, courses of instruction, and other information pertinent to the University. Changes to the archived Academic Catalog will be published in Spring and/or Summer Academic Catalog Supplements as official addendums.

Policies Regulating the Current Catalog

The provisions of this Academic Catalog are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and Adventist University of Health Sciences. The University reserves the right to change any provision or requirement at any time. University administration reserves the right to institute and give public notice of such changes as it deems necessary during the period when this Academic Catalog is in effect.

Attendance and Progression at Adventist University of Health Sciences

The admission of students to Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU), their progression and status, the awarding of academic credits, and the conferral of degrees are all subject to the ordinary regulatory powers of ADU. The University reserves the right to cancel, at its discretion, any of these privileges for reasons considered sufficient by the administration.

The Office of Academic Administration reserves the right to review the work of any student and, in consultation with the department chair and faculty, to dismiss those students who are not making satisfactory academic progress.

Disciplinary Authority

The disciplinary authority of Adventist University of Health Sciences is vested in the President, those asked by the President to act on his behalf, and in the committees and administrators of Adventist University on whom jurisdiction may be conferred for specific cases and specific areas of responsibility.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Adventist University of Health Sciences maintains a policy of equal education opportunity for all applicants without regard to sex, race, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, color, or national or ethnic origin. Adventist University does not discriminate in its educational or admission policies, financial affairs, employment programs, student life, or services in any University- administered program.

This notice is provided as required by the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator, Starr Bender, at:

Rehabilitation Act (1973) Section 504:Services for Students with Special Needs

Adventist University of Health Sciences is dedicated to the elimination of architectural and prejudicial barriers that prevent any qualified person from attending. All applications are welcome. Students who anticipate the need for special services are encouraged to contact the Marketing and Public Relations Department to arrange a visit to the campus. During the visit, applicants will receive information about campus life and can discuss with the Office for Students with Disabilities any information pertinent to their personal needs.

All students with a documented disability, whether or not they are seeking accommodations, should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities when applying to the University. This is recommended to ensure timely implementation of accommodations should the student request it during his or her attendance at Adventist University.

The Office for Students with Disabilities will request completion of a Voluntary Declaration of Disability Form. This form will direct the Office regarding the student’s necessary support documentation.

If the student requests accommodation, that student must provide the Office for Students with Disabilities the requested current, official documentation related to his or her disability. That documentation will be used to determine the type and extent of accommodation that is most reasonable and effective for that student.

If the Office for Students with Disabilities agrees to accommodations, the student must submit a copy of his or her class schedule and proof of payment. The Office will notify each of the student’s instructors of his or her needs once the student has completed the Release of Information Form. The instructor will receive an Academic Accommodation Form explaining the accommodations necessary for that student.

For each subsequent trimester, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office for Students with Disabilities of his or her updated class schedule. A Release of Information Form must also be submitted each trimester that the student is requesting accommodations.

At any time, students may request in writing to discontinue any information sharing related to their disability. They may request to discontinue their accommodations at any time. Questions or concerns should be brought to the attention of the Office for Students with Disabilities.

Student Rights and Confidentiality of Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution.) These rights include:

Access to Records

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the University receives a request for access. A student should submit his or her request to the registrar. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

Amendment of Records

The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. A student who wishes to ask the university to amend a record should write the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed. Students may not request amendments to records as a mechanism to challenge grades that they received in a course (unless the claim is based soley on an administrative issue).

If the university decides not to amend the record as requested, the university will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing. Students will be allowed to include explanatory comments with the record that they believe should have been amended but the Univiersity has decided not to modify.

Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information

The right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The school discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the University who performs an institutional service of function for which the University would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent or a student volunteering to assist another school official in performing his or her tasks.

File a Complaint

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Adventist University of Health Sciences is subject to investigation of complaints from online students who reside in the state of Maryland by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Complaints from online Maryland students should be directed to:

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in §99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, §99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student:

To other school officials, including teachers, within the University whom the University has determined to have legitimate educational interests. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) - (a)(1)(i)(B)(2) are met. (§99.31(a)(1))

To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of §99.34. (§99.31(a)(2))

To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the University’s State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)

In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§99.31(a)(4))

To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§99.31(a)(7))

To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§99.31(a)(8))

To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§99.31(a)(9))

To a court if a parent or student has initiated legal action against an educational agency or institution, or if an educational agency or institution has initiated legal action against a parent or student. (§99.31(a)(9)(iii)(A) and (B))

To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to §99.36. (§99.31(a)(10))

Information the university has designated as “directory information” under §99.37. (§99.31(a)(11))

To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a nonforcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of §99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§99.31(a)(13))

To the general public, the final results of a disciplinary proceeding, subject to the requirements of §99.39, if the school determines the student is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or non-forcible sex offense and the student has committed a violation of the school’s rules or policies with respect to the allegation made against him or her. (§99.31(a)(14))

To parents of a student regarding the student’s violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the University, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the University determines the student committed a disciplinary violation and the student is under the age of 21. (§99.31(a)(15))

To comply with required disclosures regarding sex offenders and other individuals who must register under section 170101 of the Violent Crime COntrol and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 USC 14071. (§99.31(a)(16))

Student Records and Directory Information

All medical records and disability reports are to be kept in a secure location on campus separate from the student’s academic record. Academic records are kept in the Office of the Registrar.

Directory information may be released to the news media and other persons upon request. Adventist University may choose not to disclose directory information. Further, the University may choose to release directory information but limit the scope of the release to specific parties, for specific purposes, or both. Such information includes the following:

Name

Address

Dates of attendance

Degrees, honors, and awards received

Student ID

University issued e-mail

Enrollment status

Most recent educational institution attended

Major field of study

Photograph

Year in school (freshman, etc.)

Participation in officially recognized activities

Students have the right to submit a request in writing to the Office of the Registrar to block the release of all or part of their directory information. To ensure confidentiality, this request must be completed and turned in by the end of the drop/add period of each trimester. Students cannot opt-out of disclosure of their name, institutional email addresses, or electronic identifier in their classroom.

Personal information will be disclosed solely after a written consent is submitted. Students who choose to have their records released to a third-party, such as a parent or spouse, must fill out a Records Release Form with the Office of the Registrar.

All documents submitted to Adventist University of Health Sciences become the property of the University.

Federal Drug-Free Workplace

It is the policy of Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) to maintain a safe and healthful environment for its students. A tobacco/alcohol/drug-free lifestyle for students is the goal. Therefore, it is the University’s policy that the manufacture, distribution, and possession of illicit drugs are strictly prohibited. The use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs on the University campus or during any school-sponsored activity or event is strictly prohibited.

All students and University employees are provided annually with a copy of the ADU Drug Policy in which both University and legal sanctions for inappropriate drug use are detailed and the known health risks associated with inappropriate drug use are described. For the complete ADU Alcohol/Tobacco/Drug Policy, see the Student Handbook.